Q Gary, when was the last time the state gas tax was raised in California?

Nate Farmer

Hercules

A In the early 1990s, when it was doubled from 9 cents to 18 cents a gallon. Why do you ask?

Q I would rather pay a higher gas tax to drive on better roads. What good is a nice car if you’re just hitting potholes on the freeway? I lived in the state of Washington from 1997 to 2008 and never saw potholes on the freeway like I do here. The Legislature should either raise the gas tax or the voters should be allowed to vote on it. A higher gas tax would go toward helping California drivers out, not oil tycoons in the Middle East. I take pride in paying my taxes and I feel good about it, because I’m getting something out of it.

Nate Farmer

A And to my surprise, you are not alone in your feelings, although I doubt that many people share these sentiments. Also, I am certain your comments and those of the following readers will generate a heated response.

Q As cars get more fuel-efficient, how are we to continue to pay for road repairs if they are based on the gas tax? I find it sort of funny. Everyone complains about the condition of our roads and why they aren’t being repaired. The government mandates higher fuel mileage, the use of hybrids and now electric cars. With higher miles you buy less fuel, and in turn, you pay less in road taxes. Electric cars pay no road tax, but they all use the roads just as much or more. I can see it coming, there will be a tax on the miles you drive each year, and maybe some kind of a road tax added when you buy the new car. The money for the roads has to come from somewhere. The government will find a way.

Gene McKay

Union City

A You may be right. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, may reintroduce a bill that would give regional transportation agencies authority to place a gas fee — not a tax — on the ballot. It would require a simple majority vote and would run for 30 years. In the Bay Area, the fee would be determined by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and would apply only to gas purchased within the region. There would be no limit to the fee, but it probably would be the equivalent of a nickel per gallon or less, as polling indicates little support for anything much higher.

The MTC also is considering placing a gas tax on the ballot, but this would require a two-thirds approval and that is a tall hurdle. However, a survey by the Mineta Transportation Institute found that 62 percent of potential voters would support a gas tax increase if the money had to be spent on specific items such as pavement repairs.

Q Prius drivers purchase less gas, hence pay less gas tax, which primarily funds road construction and repairs. On top of this, the government gave tax credits as an incentive to purchase these cars. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot. Gas tax revenue is down, hmmmm, I wonder why. So, I have no sympathy for the Prius drivers and the crying about the carpool lanes. I would like to see registration fees go up on these cars to help pay for our roads.

Joe Schmidt

Sunnyvale

A Under the Steinberg proposal, the gas fee also would cover plug-in hybrids, electric cars and vehicles that run on alternative fuels. But you are right — improving fuel efficiency has reduced tax revenue. In 1993, when the average new car got 28.3 miles per gallon, the fuel tax amounted to 65 cents per mile driven. Last year, the average mpg for a new car was 33.7, so the government collected 55 cents per mile, or 15 percent less. When the new national standard of 54.5 mpg kicks in by 2025, the decrease in federal revenue will grow to $12.4 billion, or 26.4 percent less than today.

Q I have a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup. It has the standard cab (no seats in the back). Because it has a lap seat belt in the middle between the two regular seats, does it still qualify as a two-seater and therefore only requires two occupants to drive in those carpool lanes where you otherwise must have three people?

Ray Welter

Richmond

A No, your truck does not qualify as a two-seater. Since it has three seat belts, it is considered a three-passenger vehicle.

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